Coincident renal cell carcinoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma: the M. D. Anderson experience and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
We recently observed nonHodgkin's lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma occurring simultaneously in several patients. We determine whether the incidence of co-occurrence of the 2 malignancies is greater than expected based on the incidence of each disease in the general population.


METHODS
Patients diagnosed with simultaneous renal cell carcinoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma were identified through the medical informatics data base at our cancer center. Charts of all patients were reviewed to collect detailed demographic information and confirm both diagnoses. United States population based cancer statistics (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program data) were used to arrive at the expected age adjusted incidence of co-occurrence of these diagnoses, and statistical analysis was performed to ascertain any differences between expected and observed incidences.


RESULTS
We identified 41 cases with both diagnoses between 1954 and 1995, including 21 diagnosed after 1987. The latter group was used for statistical analysis. The observed rates of renal cell carcinoma developing in the nonHodgkin's lymphoma population (1.86) and nonHodgkin's lymphoma developing in the renal cell carcinoma population (2.67) were greater than expected and both reached statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a higher than expected incidence of co-occurrence of renal cell carcinoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma. The cause remains speculative.
Anderson
C M
CM
Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
Pusztai
L
L
Palmer
J L
JL
Cabanillas
F
F
Ellerhorst
J A
JA
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D018426:SEER Program; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology